S China Sea: All parties have rights they can assert

All parties involved in the South China Sea dispute believe themselves to be acting within their rights. The letter “US within its rights to challenge an assertive China” (Nov 27) focused on the Western stance.

But if proximity gave better rights, as the letter implied, Malaysia would have pipped Singapore before the International Court of Justice to claim Pedra Banca. Vietnam’s claims in the South China Sea should then also be dismissed as specious.

The United States intervenes purportedly for the right of freedom in navigation. The letter writer pointed how this right is crucial to the export economy of the Philippines.

On that premise, the freedom of navigation would be just as critical to export-dependent China, justifying an expanded military presence to counter the US capability to cut off its sea lanes of communications.

The letter also omitted mentioning that the US has exercised its freedom of navigation largely in terms of sailing and flying just outside Chinese waters to gather data on key military and other facilities. This justifies expanding air and sea defence zones.

So it does not help to assert rights from the perspective of any particular side in the disputes. De-escalation requires addressing the security concerns of all states, leading towards eventual de-militarisation of the area by all, including the US.